Investigation ‘ongoing’ in State Street Bridge shooting

(Above) Police allowed limited access to Smith & Wollensky on Monday afternoon after a shooting during heavy rain on the State Street Bridge. The bridge was closed to traffic for about two hours. Pedestrians could cross on the east side only. (Click on image to view larger version.)

9-Aug-11 – As of late Tuesday afternoon, Chicago police had not yet released an official description of the suspect in Monday’s shooting on the State Street Bridge.

A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department said only that the investigation is “ongoing.”

On Tuesday, the victim was identified as Todd Brown from the Jackson Park Highlands neighborhood on the southeast side of Chicago. The 29-year-old was walking from a nearby bus stop to work at Smith & Wollensky when a man walking next to him shot him, then fled east on Wacker Drive.

According to Regina Arendt, general manager of the Marina City steakhouse, Brown had worked as a dishwasher for about five weeks and was “a good employee.”

Police were reluctant to issue a description on Monday shortly after the shooting. “Until we can verify everything about the offender, I don’t want to give out a description,” said Area 3 detective division commander Gary Yanashiroya. “I don’t want to give out false information first and have to put something else out there.”

The shooting brought numerous police officers to North State Street, including District 18 police commander Kenneth Angarone.

Brown is currently in serious condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The bullet reportedly is lodged in skin and did not pass into his skull.

• Updated story: Police release description of bridge shooting suspect
• Related story: Man shot on State Street Bridge
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